Reference:precision: Difference between revisions

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| [[Reference:3003|3003]] · [[Reference:3004|3004]] || 1937 launch || Manual lever movements; two auction lots describe 10-line, 15- and 17-jewel examples || One catalogued 3003 is 27mm steel/pink gold; one 3004 is 30mm steel || First pair listed under Oyster Precision; documented examples differ in case and seconds layout

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Auction catalogues call ref. 3078 either Chronometre or Precision. They describe round manual-wind examples in stainless steel, 9ct gold, and 18ct gold, with subsidiary seconds and reported sizes of 29 or 30 mm. Christie's records 17-jewel movements marked Patented Superbalance and 18-jewel Ultra Prima chronometers; no numbered caliber is established. Its circa-1935 and 1950s dates belong to individual lots, while reported 1937 import marks date case markings. These catalogue records leave the factory family label and production span unresolved. [[Reference:3078|The ref. 3078 article]] keeps the examples and their unresolved dates separate. [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-1817451 Christie's, circa-1935 steel example] [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-892250 Christie's, 9ct-gold example] [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-1572832 Christie's, 18ct-gold example] [https://www.davidduggleby.com/auctions/2300/Jewellery-Watches/104955/ David Duggleby, lot 2177]

== Rectangular manual-wind ref. 3140 ==

Colin A. White lists ref. 3140 as a rectangular yellow-gold Precision. Christie’s and Monaco Legend catalogue rectangular examples under that name. Christie’s identifies a 1937 example with Cal. 360; other catalogues describe Ultra Prima or unnamed manual movements. Antiquorum’s 2025 catalogue also calls a small white-gold, diamond-set bracelet watch a 3140 and lists Cal. 1401. These are lot-specific descriptions. The [[Reference:3140|3140 page]] records the conflicting Prince label and the individual case details. [https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/0b5fdf83/files/uploaded/1.0%20RolexBook-23Mar.pdf Colin A. White]; [https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-rolex-a-9k-gold-rectangular-curved-wristwatch-5130486/ Christie’s, case 41,362]; [https://www.monacolegendauctions.com/auction/exclusive-timepieces-33/lot-219 Monaco Legend, case 41,465]; [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-3140-precision-lot-379-90 Antiquorum, case 2,306,248]

== Round dress ref. 3540 ==

Auction catalogues identify ref. 3540 as a manual-wind Rolex Precision in round steel and gold cases. Sotheby's describes 18 jewels for case 58,753; Heritage reports 15 for case 414,638, and Christie's gives 17 for another example. Auction catalogues and dealer records date individual watches from circa 1930 to 1954. The case 041775 steel watch is dated circa 1930 by Bonhams/EveryWatch and circa 1936 by Vintage-Oyster; both records refer to the same watch. These are specimen dates, not a continuous production record or firm endpoints. None of the reviewed records names a numeric caliber. Bernardini Milano dates its 35 mm steel example to 1954. See the [[Reference:3540|ref. 3540 file]] for the dial, case and movement evidence. [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2024/important-watches-part-ii/reference-3540-a-pink-gold-wristwatch-circa-1938 Sotheby's, case 58,753]; [https://jewelry.ha.com/itm/timepieces/wristwatch/rolex-precision-ref-3540-circa-1946/a/5363-54445.s Heritage, case 414,638]; [https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-a-stainless-steel-wristwatchmodel-precision-1817408/ Christie's, lot 1817408]

== Round gold Precision ref. 8952 ==

Auction records identify the manual-wind 8952 as a central-seconds Precision and date separate examples circa 1952, 1955, 1956 and 1968. Phillips gives circa 1945 for another example and assigns it Cal. 1210, earlier than the Field Manual’s 1954–1964 range for that caliber. Crescent Watch Guys' chart places the Sotheby’s circa-1952 case number in both pre-reset and post-reset ranges. Some collectors call the 8952 Metropolitan; the name is not a Rolex designation. See the [[Reference:8952|8952 article]] for the lot-by-lot evidence. [https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/101135 Phillips, lot 1037]; [https://www.sothebys.com/buy/86de210f-86a9-4599-a8b9-bef3d3bfed75/lots/83afeb8b-1684-4fb2-9c38-0fe31a484dfe Sotheby’s, lot 8932]; [https://www.sothebys.com/zh/auctions/ecatalogue/2018/important-watches-ge1801/lot.263.html Sotheby’s, lot 263]; [https://www.monacolegendauctions.com/auction/exclusive-timepieces-31/lot-57 Monaco Legend, lot 57]; [https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/0b5fdf83/files/uploaded/1.0%20RolexBook-23Mar.pdf The Vintage Rolex Field Manual, p. 91]; [https://crescentwatchguys.com/pages/rolex-serial-numbers Crescent Watch Guys serial chart]

== Manual-wind Precision Oysters (1920s–early 1950s) ==

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The line continues into later manual-wind references such as ~~the~~ 6426. The 6082 carries the Oyster Precision into the 1950s. [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-12 Antiquorum's 1951 example], [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-6082-oyster-lot-343-309 2021 example] and [https://www.monacolegendauctions.com/index.php/auction/exclusive-timepieces-32/lot-162 Monaco Legend's 1951 example] identify Cal. 710; [https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/0b5fdf83/files/uploaded/1.0%20RolexBook-23Mar.pdf Colin White's reference table] does too. A [https://www.kibblewatches.co.uk/products/1952-rolex-oyster-concentric-dial-manual-34mm-6082 dealer listing] assigns Cal. 1210 to one concentric-dial watch, without a readable movement photograph. The dedicated [[Reference:6082|6082 page]] keeps the date and caliber evidence tied to individual examples. The [[Reference:6094|6094 Oysterdate Precision]] page covers the later date-equipped model and its auction-record evidence.

The line continues into later manual-wind references such as [[Reference:6426|ref. 6426]]. The [[Reference:6082|6082]] carries the Oyster Precision into the 1950s. [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-12 Antiquorum's 1951 example], [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-6082-oyster-lot-343-309 2021 example] and [https://www.monacolegendauctions.com/index.php/auction/exclusive-timepieces-32/lot-162 Monaco Legend's 1951 example] identify Cal. 710; [https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/0b5fdf83/files/uploaded/1.0%20RolexBook-23Mar.pdf Colin White's reference table] does too. A [https://www.kibblewatches.co.uk/products/1952-rolex-oyster-concentric-dial-manual-34mm-6082 dealer listing] assigns Cal. 1210 to one concentric-dial watch, without a readable movement photograph. The dedicated [[Reference:6082|6082 page]] keeps the date and caliber evidence tied to individual examples. The [[Reference:6094|6094 Oysterdate Precision]] page covers the later date-equipped model and its auction-record evidence.

Ref. 4219 appears in mid-century Precision records as a steel manual-wind watch with centre seconds. Christie's dates its 35 mm example to the 1950s; Bonhams' 1950 lot is indexed by LotSearch as 32 mm. Vintage Watch Centre dates case 056827 to circa 1948 and attributes Cal. 1210 to it, though the Field Manual lists Cal. 1210 as 1954–1964 on PDF page 91. The [[Reference:4219|4219 article]] keeps these example-level claims and their conflict together. [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-1817422 Christie's]; [https://www.lotsearch.net/index.php/auction-catalogues/clocks-watches-and-barometers-117862/category/434726?order=ASC&orderBy=lot-title&page=4&perPage=80&view=table LotSearch]; [https://www.vintagewatchcentre.com/product/rolex-precision-ref-4219-c1948/ Vintage Watch Centre]; [https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/0b5fdf83/files/uploaded/1.0%20RolexBook-23Mar.pdf The Vintage Rolex Field Manual, PDF p. 91].

== Precision and Super Precision on the Air-King ==

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* [https://beckertime.com/blog/rolex-caliber-15201530/ "Rolex Caliber 1520 and 1530", Beckertime]

* [https://www.bonhams.com/auction/29890/lot/100/rolex-a-stainless-steel-manual-wind-bracelet-watch-oyster-precision-ref-4499-circa-1948/ "Rolex Oyster Precision Ref 4499 c.1948", Bonhams, 2024]

* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2024/important-watches-part-ii/reference-3540-a-pink-gold-wristwatch-circa-1938 Sotheby's, Rolex Precision ref. 3540, case 58,753, 2024]

* [https://jewelry.ha.com/itm/timepieces/wristwatch/rolex-precision-ref-3540-circa-1946/a/5363-54445.s Heritage Auctions, Rolex Precision ref. 3540, case 414,638, 2018]

* [https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-a-stainless-steel-wristwatchmodel-precision-1817408/ Christie's, Rolex Precision ref. 3540, lot 1817408]

* [https://everywatch.com/rolex/3540/watch-12628418 EveryWatch/Bonhams, case 041775]

* [https://www.vintage-oyster.com/p/1930s-rolex-pontife-hands-chronometre-ref-3540-serviced Vintage-Oyster, case 041775]

* [https://www.bernardinimilano.com/products/rolex-moneta-ref-3540 Bernardini Milano, ref. 3540, dated 1954]

[[Category:Precision]]

[[Category:Family Index]]

@@ Line 45: / Line 45: @@
 | [[Reference:3003|3003]] · [[Reference:3004|3004]] || 1937 launch || Manual lever movements; two auction lots describe 10-line, 15- and 17-jewel examples || One catalogued 3003 is 27mm steel/pink gold; one 3004 is 30mm steel || First pair listed under Oyster Precision; documented examples differ in case and seconds layout
 |}
+Auction catalogues call ref. 3078 either Chronometre or Precision. They describe round manual-wind examples in stainless steel, 9ct gold, and 18ct gold, with subsidiary seconds and reported sizes of 29 or 30 mm. Christie's records 17-jewel movements marked Patented Superbalance and 18-jewel Ultra Prima chronometers; no numbered caliber is established. Its circa-1935 and 1950s dates belong to individual lots, while reported 1937 import marks date case markings. These catalogue records leave the factory family label and production span unresolved. [[Reference:3078|The ref. 3078 article]] keeps the examples and their unresolved dates separate. [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-1817451 Christie's, circa-1935 steel example] [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-892250 Christie's, 9ct-gold example] [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-1572832 Christie's, 18ct-gold example] [https://www.davidduggleby.com/auctions/2300/Jewellery-Watches/104955/ David Duggleby, lot 2177]
 == Rectangular manual-wind ref. 3140 ==
 Colin A. White lists ref. 3140 as a rectangular yellow-gold Precision. Christie’s and Monaco Legend catalogue rectangular examples under that name. Christie’s identifies a 1937 example with Cal. 360; other catalogues describe Ultra Prima or unnamed manual movements. Antiquorum’s 2025 catalogue also calls a small white-gold, diamond-set bracelet watch a 3140 and lists Cal. 1401. These are lot-specific descriptions. The [[Reference:3140|3140 page]] records the conflicting Prince label and the individual case details. [https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/0b5fdf83/files/uploaded/1.0%20RolexBook-23Mar.pdf Colin A. White]; [https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-rolex-a-9k-gold-rectangular-curved-wristwatch-5130486/ Christie’s, case 41,362]; [https://www.monacolegendauctions.com/auction/exclusive-timepieces-33/lot-219 Monaco Legend, case 41,465]; [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-3140-precision-lot-379-90 Antiquorum, case 2,306,248]
+== Round dress ref. 3540 ==
+Auction catalogues identify ref. 3540 as a manual-wind Rolex Precision in round steel and gold cases. Sotheby's describes 18 jewels for case 58,753; Heritage reports 15 for case 414,638, and Christie's gives 17 for another example. Auction catalogues and dealer records date individual watches from circa 1930 to 1954. The case 041775 steel watch is dated circa 1930 by Bonhams/EveryWatch and circa 1936 by Vintage-Oyster; both records refer to the same watch. These are specimen dates, not a continuous production record or firm endpoints. None of the reviewed records names a numeric caliber. Bernardini Milano dates its 35 mm steel example to 1954. See the [[Reference:3540|ref. 3540 file]] for the dial, case and movement evidence. [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2024/important-watches-part-ii/reference-3540-a-pink-gold-wristwatch-circa-1938 Sotheby's, case 58,753]; [https://jewelry.ha.com/itm/timepieces/wristwatch/rolex-precision-ref-3540-circa-1946/a/5363-54445.s Heritage, case 414,638]; [https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-a-stainless-steel-wristwatchmodel-precision-1817408/ Christie's, lot 1817408]
+== Round gold Precision ref. 8952 ==
+Auction records identify the manual-wind 8952 as a central-seconds Precision and date separate examples circa 1952, 1955, 1956 and 1968. Phillips gives circa 1945 for another example and assigns it Cal. 1210, earlier than the Field Manual’s 1954–1964 range for that caliber. Crescent Watch Guys' chart places the Sotheby’s circa-1952 case number in both pre-reset and post-reset ranges. Some collectors call the 8952 Metropolitan; the name is not a Rolex designation. See the [[Reference:8952|8952 article]] for the lot-by-lot evidence. [https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/101135 Phillips, lot 1037]; [https://www.sothebys.com/buy/86de210f-86a9-4599-a8b9-bef3d3bfed75/lots/83afeb8b-1684-4fb2-9c38-0fe31a484dfe Sotheby’s, lot 8932]; [https://www.sothebys.com/zh/auctions/ecatalogue/2018/important-watches-ge1801/lot.263.html Sotheby’s, lot 263]; [https://www.monacolegendauctions.com/auction/exclusive-timepieces-31/lot-57 Monaco Legend, lot 57]; [https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/0b5fdf83/files/uploaded/1.0%20RolexBook-23Mar.pdf The Vintage Rolex Field Manual, p. 91]; [https://crescentwatchguys.com/pages/rolex-serial-numbers Crescent Watch Guys serial chart]
 == Manual-wind Precision Oysters (1920s–early 1950s) ==
@@ Line 69: / Line 79: @@
 |}
-The line continues into later manual-wind references such as the 6426. The 6082 carries the Oyster Precision into the 1950s. [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-12 Antiquorum's 1951 example], [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-6082-oyster-lot-343-309 2021 example] and [https://www.monacolegendauctions.com/index.php/auction/exclusive-timepieces-32/lot-162 Monaco Legend's 1951 example] identify Cal. 710; [https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/0b5fdf83/files/uploaded/1.0%20RolexBook-23Mar.pdf Colin White's reference table] does too. A [https://www.kibblewatches.co.uk/products/1952-rolex-oyster-concentric-dial-manual-34mm-6082 dealer listing] assigns Cal. 1210 to one concentric-dial watch, without a readable movement photograph. The dedicated [[Reference:6082|6082 page]] keeps the date and caliber evidence tied to individual examples. The [[Reference:6094|6094 Oysterdate Precision]] page covers the later date-equipped model and its auction-record evidence.
+The line continues into later manual-wind references such as [[Reference:6426|ref. 6426]]. The [[Reference:6082|6082]] carries the Oyster Precision into the 1950s. [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-12 Antiquorum's 1951 example], [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-6082-oyster-lot-343-309 2021 example] and [https://www.monacolegendauctions.com/index.php/auction/exclusive-timepieces-32/lot-162 Monaco Legend's 1951 example] identify Cal. 710; [https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/0b5fdf83/files/uploaded/1.0%20RolexBook-23Mar.pdf Colin White's reference table] does too. A [https://www.kibblewatches.co.uk/products/1952-rolex-oyster-concentric-dial-manual-34mm-6082 dealer listing] assigns Cal. 1210 to one concentric-dial watch, without a readable movement photograph. The dedicated [[Reference:6082|6082 page]] keeps the date and caliber evidence tied to individual examples. The [[Reference:6094|6094 Oysterdate Precision]] page covers the later date-equipped model and its auction-record evidence.
+Ref. 4219 appears in mid-century Precision records as a steel manual-wind watch with centre seconds. Christie's dates its 35 mm example to the 1950s; Bonhams' 1950 lot is indexed by LotSearch as 32 mm. Vintage Watch Centre dates case 056827 to circa 1948 and attributes Cal. 1210 to it, though the Field Manual lists Cal. 1210 as 1954–1964 on PDF page 91. The [[Reference:4219|4219 article]] keeps these example-level claims and their conflict together. [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-1817422 Christie's]; [https://www.lotsearch.net/index.php/auction-catalogues/clocks-watches-and-barometers-117862/category/434726?order=ASC&orderBy=lot-title&page=4&perPage=80&view=table LotSearch]; [https://www.vintagewatchcentre.com/product/rolex-precision-ref-4219-c1948/ Vintage Watch Centre]; [https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/0b5fdf83/files/uploaded/1.0%20RolexBook-23Mar.pdf The Vintage Rolex Field Manual, PDF p. 91].
 == Precision and Super Precision on the Air-King ==
@@ Line 116: / Line 128: @@
 * [https://beckertime.com/blog/rolex-caliber-15201530/ "Rolex Caliber 1520 and 1530", Beckertime]
 * [https://www.bonhams.com/auction/29890/lot/100/rolex-a-stainless-steel-manual-wind-bracelet-watch-oyster-precision-ref-4499-circa-1948/ "Rolex Oyster Precision Ref 4499 c.1948", Bonhams, 2024]
+* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2024/important-watches-part-ii/reference-3540-a-pink-gold-wristwatch-circa-1938 Sotheby's, Rolex Precision ref. 3540, case 58,753, 2024]
+* [https://jewelry.ha.com/itm/timepieces/wristwatch/rolex-precision-ref-3540-circa-1946/a/5363-54445.s Heritage Auctions, Rolex Precision ref. 3540, case 414,638, 2018]
+* [https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-a-stainless-steel-wristwatchmodel-precision-1817408/ Christie's, Rolex Precision ref. 3540, lot 1817408]
+* [https://everywatch.com/rolex/3540/watch-12628418 EveryWatch/Bonhams, case 041775]
+* [https://www.vintage-oyster.com/p/1930s-rolex-pontife-hands-chronometre-ref-3540-serviced Vintage-Oyster, case 041775]
+* [https://www.bernardinimilano.com/products/rolex-moneta-ref-3540 Bernardini Milano, ref. 3540, dated 1954]
 [[Category:Precision]]
 [[Category:Family Index]]